Imphal, January 22 2010: Only 52% cases of Tuberculosis (TB) could be covered even though state has set a target of covering 70% during the year 2009 by the Manipur State TB Society implementing the Revised National TB Programme.

During the implementation of the programme, the authority is facing difficulties in successful conduct of the programme in Thoubal and Senapati districts among the nine districts.

The annual report of the progress of implementation of the Revised National TB Programme was held today at State Guest House and reviewed the district-wise reports of the district TB control which was tabled for discussion.

Officers spoke of facing difficulties in the implementation of the programme in Thoubal and Senapati districts and observed high rate of TB infection as people do not willingly turn up for confirmation of the disease and patients not taking the drug supply to them till completion of the prescribed course by the experts.

Coverage of 60 to 70 percent of TB cases was detected in some of the district.

But, against overall 70 percent coverage target set by the authority, only 52 percent could be covered as a whole.

In the discussion session, it was also observed that the programme seems to have been framed on the basis of the valley areas and is unable to cover remote areas of the state.

They suggested modification in the mode of implementation system so as to cover the remote hill areas where district authorities are yet to reach.

Mention may be made that the National TV Control Programme was launched as early as in 1926 in the country.

But to due lack of fund and management knowhow, the same could not implemented.

Later, the same was re-launched in 1998 but was implemented only from January 2002 in Manipur.

Commissioner (health and family welfare) Vumlunmang attending the inauguration function as chief guest observed the non-achieving of the target set by the society but said estimated 84 percent success in the implementation of the revised programme.

TB is a disease which can be consider the most as dreaded disease next to HIV/AIDS.

In the state where rate of people infected by HIV/AIDS is very high, some of the people of this group are facing simultaneous infection by both diseases.

Pointing them out is a must, Vumlunmang said.

National Control Society has also allotted to the mobile vans to the state AIDS control society for utilizing Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC).

Implementing agencies should utilize funds sanctioned by the state government for fighting menace of the dreaded disease (HIV/AIDS) and suggest ideas for effective implementation of the programmes to curb the dreaded diseases the higher authority, he urged.

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